Weekly Prompt #11: What are some small steps that we can take to promote mental health and wellbeing in our daily lives?
Hello everyone, I hope you are all being easy on yourself this week.
Last week we discussed: How does self-esteem impact our mental health? Thank you to all who participated and shared their thoughts for discussion. I enjoyed them. I hope you all did too. If you didn't share yours, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you.
This week's prompt: What are some small steps that we can take to promote mental health and well-being in our daily lives?
It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our daily routines. We often forget to take a step back and focus on our mental health and well-being. So, promoting mental health and well-being doesn't have to be a daunting task. By taking small steps like practicing gratitude, self-care, surrounding ourselves with positivity, and giving back, we can make a big impact on our mental health and overall happiness. Remember, it's the little things that count!
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@ASilentObserver
Regarding:
- What are some small steps that we can take to promote mental health and well-being in our daily lives?
One option is to modify one's environment in tiny ways:
- Make it easier to do a specific healthy habit
- Make it harder to do that unhealthy habit
Simple one-time changes can have a huge impact.
And they can take very little effort to do.
Just ask yourself what tiny change could you make.
Then ideas will pop into your head now or later.
@7motivation Thank you for sharing. Small changes can make a big impact over time. What tiny change are you hoping to make that feels manageable right now?
@ASilentObserver
Regarding:
- Thank you for sharing.
Small changes can make a big impact over time.
What tiny change are you hoping to make
that feels manageable right now?
My environment tiny easy changes are:
- Organizing things
and removing clutter too
for a more calming environment
- Setting up activity areas so
things are laid out as needed
then it's easier to do things
- Setting up visual cues
to help as remind to do things
I think the small steps that one can take can be simple yet a little pushy. I know it's not easy to come out of say a depressive episode or a spiraling spree. Simple pushes like, daily meditation, journaling or even maybe talking to someone and updating them regularly can prove to be helpful. It is not always easy, but it's for your own wellbeing at the end of the day.
@Girisha8 I hear simple practices like meditation and journaling can be helpful. What small step would you like to take for your own wellbeing?
@ASilentObserver
Hi, ASO,
What are some small steps that we can take to promote mental health and well-being in our daily lives?
First, let me say that I love the prompts you've been generating. Recently, I've found it very hard to answer the questions, so I've just subscribed to the prompt and planned to answer them some other time.
Second as the answer to your question, sleep as much as you need to because it isn't anyone else's body. It is your body to set the rules for.
@purpleTree4652 I am glad you like these prompts and subscribing and responding to them later when you have more thoughts is a really good plan. I appreciate reading your responses to our discussions as well. We are all learning from each other and becoming better support for everyone.
Sleeping sounds like definitely an important step to promote better well being.
I think the one thing that everyone needs to do the most is to forgive yourself. The steps we can take can be like writing a letter to one self, or just smiling at ourselves when looking at mirror. Affirmation are also a way. The next important thing should be finding reason to continue the hustle. For that we can write our dreams. Create a scrapbook or a dream wall showcasing that. I guess this will work.
@dapperLunch1747 Thank you for sharing your perspective and steps, Lunch. They are some really helpful steps to consider. What feelings come up as you think about forgiveness and moving forward?
This is such an important topic that applies to so many people in the world.
As for me, one thing people can do to promote mental health and well-being in their lives is to get into a healthy routine of going about your life. Consciously make some small adjustments, bit-by-bit, such as: making your bed in the morning or drinking a cup of water when you wake up.
The most important part of this all is to keep this going everyday and don’t feel that you need to do every good habit in the book starting from day 1!
@HopefulEar Getting into a healthy routine is a great way to boost your mental wellbeing. I can imagine making small adjustments bit by bit can add up to make a real difference over time. Every step counts. What kinds of small adjustments do you think would make the biggest impact on your wellbeing right now?
Its funny that this thread showed up on my 7cups feed this morning when the above was the message on my daily motivation app. I guess the universe was telling me that I needed to see/read all the things today.
I learned in the military that "attention to detail" was a very important part of life. I believe that if you pay attention to, and/or take care of the small things, the big things will take care of themselves. My family and co-workers tell me I pay attention to and worry about the small stuff too much, that it doesn't matter. I disagree. I wholeheartedly agree that you need to work on the small things....
Some small steps I am taking to work on my well being.....
-My "me" time helps a lot....I make sure I get up early before everyone else to have "my coffee time" on my days off work....My job requires me to be there at 4:15 am so I"m usually having my coffee on the run. On my days off, I NEED the quiet and alone time to sit and actually enjoy drinking my coffee, not drink it out of necessity like I do on work days.... sounds small, sounds silly, but my alone coffee time does wonders for my headspace...I also use that time to catch up on 7cups forums that I otherwise may have missed during the week so its a win/win for me....
-making a plan or schedule for the next day before going to bed.....I don't do last minute very well so its important for me to stick to a routine and know what I need to get done.
-Put things away when done with them....like mentioned above....organize and remove clutter helps a lot
There are so many things that could be helpful, but I think those three things help the most when keeping me in a good headspace....
@CyclingThroughLife That's wonderful that you've found some self-care routines that work well for you. Making time for "me" each day, having a plan, and tidying up can really help keep stress levels down. How does following these routines make you feel on a day to day basis? It must be tough to have to get up so early each day for work. I'm glad you've found a way to carve out "coffee time" for yourself on your days off to recharge.
@ASilentObserver
Routines help me significantly. I build my life around routines. My family would tell your I'm too regimented. They will tell you I melt down when my routine is broken. I have been this way since I went to basic training in 1989. Even after my military time, I remained routine oriented. I like living this way. But like everything else in life, it has its good and its bad......but it works for me. Those around me support this lifestyle.
@CyclingThroughLife It sounds like routines bring you a sense of stability and control. Having structure and predictability in your daily life helps you to feel grounded. How do you balance needing routines with flexibility for life's changes? You doing good and every step counts.
@ASilentObserver
"How do you balance needing routines with flexibility for life's changes?"
The honest answer....I don't do well at all.....My family knows it and they are a big help when it comes to helping me stick to my routines. If I know ahead of time that something is going to disturb my routine, and I have to plan for it, I'm ok.......even a couple of hours ahead is good.....but last minute....I don't do last minute well at all.....
@CyclingThroughLife Thank you for sharing openly about how last minute changes can be difficult for you. Not having routines and plans in place understandably makes you feel unsettled. We are all here with you to listen to and support. You are not alone in this <3
Hi @ASilentObserver,
One small step I can take is to stay hydrated - it's very important!
@WriteToHeal42 It's wise of you to focus on staying hydrated. Every step counts!
@ASilentObserver
Thanks Obs! Very true!